Cop Sent to Prison for Pummeling Man in Cuffs

LAREDO, Texas (CN) – A former Laredo policeman caught on his squad car’s dash cam pummeling a handcuffed man was sentenced to 1 year in federal prison. Frank Carter, 43, pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of an arrestee, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “Carter admitted that on May 26, 2012, while using his authority as a LPD officer, he struck a male victim who was handcuffed and detained in the backseat of Carter’s patrol car. Carter admitted he struck the victim several times,” prosecutors said. “According to information presented in court at the time of the plea, rear facing dash camera audio and video recordings revealed Carter had yelled obscenities at the victim while he punched the victim in the head and body. Carter also repeatedly slammed the victim’s face into the back of the seat. The victim remained handcuffed during the entire incident and never resisted or attempted to harm Carter.” U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana also ordered Carter to complete 75 hours of community service after he is released. The judge allowed Carter to remain free on bond and voluntarily turn himself in to a federal prison “in the near future,” prosecutors said.